The five most expensive cities for burger, fries and soda – NYC and LA aren’t among them
Fast food has become extremely expensive in the US in recent years, but new research shows this is the most expensive city in the world to buy a burger, fries and soda.
San Diego is the most expensive city to get the typical American meal, with an average price of $20.76, according to MoneyGeek.
The personal finance website analyzed the prices of a hamburger, fries and soda at 189 major and local chains in 50 of America’s largest cities.
Surprisingly, the notoriously expensive cities of New York City and Los Angeles did not make the top five for most expensive meals, but other cities on the East and West coasts did.
Across the country, persistent inflation has caused prices to rise an average of 24 percent between 2022 and 2024, with a meal costing more than $15 in 19 of the largest cities.
Scroll down for prices in each of the 50 cities.
According to the study, San Diego is the most expensive city to get the typical American meal, with an average price of $20.76
In second place was Washington DC, with an average meal price of $18.17.
San Francisco follows closely behind at $17.96, and a hamburger, fries and soda costs a Seattle resident $17.83, the study found.
At number five on the list was Boston, where the average price for a fast food meal was $17.63.
Three of the top ten most expensive meals were served in California cities. Los Angeles came in second with an average price of $17.50.
Some restaurant owners in the Golden State have raised menu prices in recent months after the minimum wage for fast food workers increased to $20 an hour.
In New York, which ranks seventh, residents pay an average of $16.61 for a meal.
With the exception of Phoenix, which ranked eighth on the list, and Las Vegas, which tied with Baltimore for tenth, the top ten spots were all occupied by cities on the East and West Coasts.
According to the study, the cheapest meal can be found in Detroit, where Americans can get a hamburger, fries and soda for just $8.12.
MoneyGeek also examined price increases at specific fast food restaurants.
Five Guys charges the most for a burger, fries and soda, averaging $20.84. That’s up 13.7 percent from 2022, when the price averaged $18.33.
While Jack in the Box charges much less for the meal — an average of $13.75 — the chain has raised prices 25.8 percent since 2022.
At Wendy’s, prices have increased 31.8 percent over the past two years, from $9.41 to $12.41.
At McDonald’s, which sells more burgers than any other chain, prices have increased 22 percent since 2022, the study found.
The meal costs an average of $7.57 at McDonald’s locations nationwide.
California cities take three of the top 10 spots for most expensive fast food meal (Pictured: McDonald’s location in San Diego)
Wendy’s has seen prices increase 31.8 percent over the past two years — the most of any major chain
In response to rising prices, some major chains have begun offering discounts to customers in what has been dubbed the “fast food meal wars.”
In April, KFC introduced the Taste of KFC Deals, which included a meal for one person for $4.99, consisting of a drumstick, a thigh, mashed potatoes with gravy and a biscuit.
McDonald’s launched a $5 summer meal deal in June, which includes a McChicken or McDouble, four pieces of chicken nuggets, fries and a drink.
However, customers reacted strongly to the chain immediately after its launch, after it was revealed that the meal cost as much as $13 at some locations.
Customers posted screenshots on social media showing the much higher prices.
One of them entered $13, which was probably a glitch in the app. Others were charged $6.67 for the standard meal, and many more people were charged more than $6.
McDonald’s is reportedly currently investigating the price discrepancies.
The chain’s bosses have made it clear to franchisees that they must adhere to nationally advertised prices.